Softball-rules

Princeton University
Intramural Sports
Softball Rules
I. EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM/ELIGIBILITY
a. All players must present their Princeton University ID in order to
participate.
b. Each bag will contain 5 bases, 2 bats and softballs. The extra base is to be
placed in the pitcher’s area. The IM Supervisors will check each field to
ensure the base is a safe distance from the batter (45 feet or 15 paces).
Pitchers are to stay on the base while pitching.
c. Captains must write names of all players on the score sheet. Leave score
sheets in the binders.
d. All players must wear shoes at all times. Metal cleats may not be worn.
e. No jewelry is allowed to be worn during play.
f. If a team chooses to use their own personal bat, it must be a stamped ASA
certified softball bat and be inspected by the IM Supervisor before play.
II. NUMBER OF PLAYERS/GAME TIME/FORFEIT PENALTY
a. A game lasts 50 minutes, or 7 innings and no new inning may begin after
50 minutes after the hour. (exception – in playoffs, games will be 7
innings).
b. During the regular season, games may end in ties. During playoffs, extra
innings will be played.
c. Defensively, a team consists of 10 players, maximum on the field at all
times. In Co-Rec the ratio is 2:8.
d. A team that fails to have 8 players (in Co-Rec ratio 2:6) within 10 minutes
after the starting time will forfeit the game.
e. Any alcohol found on the field will be immediately confiscated and the
team will be subject to suspension from the league.
III. GAME RULES
a. Home team is determined by a coin toss.
b. No stealing. Runner may not leave the base until a ball is hit. Sliding is
allowed.
c. Offensively, everyone on a team appears in the line-up and the entire line-
up is batted through, regardless of defensive status. (player or sub). For
Co-Rec play, the line-up MUST alternate male-female.
d. No bunting – swing must break the wrists.
e. If a batted ball hits the pitcher, (a member of the batting team) it is a dead
ball. The entire play must be played over. It does not count as a pitch.
f. The defensive pitcher cannot stand further than 10 feet from the pitcher of
the batting team.
g. Catchers are responsible for calling foul balls. The defensive team makes
all safe or out calls.
h. Home plate is in play.
i. A runner who “crashes” a baseman is out.
IV. SUBSTITUTION
a. Substitution is unlimited (male for male, female for female in co-rec)
provided this does not delay the game.
V. RAIN-OUTS/THREATENING WEATHER/DARKNESS
a. Unless a schedule team is rained out 2 or more games, regular season
games may not be rescheduled. In case of inclement weather, an email will
be sent out Monday-Friday. Cancellation information will be put on after
3:00pm on weekdays, and one hour before game times on weekends.
b. In case the game is terminated by the supervisor due to time, darkness or
weather conditions, the score will revert to the end of the last inning,
provided innings were completed (2 ½ if the team that batted second is
ahead). The score shall not revert if the second team at bat is tied with or
ahead of the team first at bat when the game is terminated.
Revised: 12/09